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It's tough to say this but, for the public, festivals have gotten stale.

20 years ago big kite festivals were still a relatively new thing in the U.S. Sport kites were a VERY new thing for most people. A lot of gee whiz excitement. A lot of money to be made.

What's changed in 20 years?

Not much, at least not much for good.

There are certainly more giant inflatables at many fests, even so, someone coming back to Berkeley after half a dozen years would mainly think "wow, 12 Octopus, they only had 8 last time". To the average Joe, a kite fest hasn't changed much. Except the stunt kites are now called sport kites and they are pretty boring.

Sport kite comps stopped being interesting to spectators long ago. They are no longer a "draw" regardless how big or small the event.

The thing that breaks my heart about festivals, is that to all of the kite people they are as fun as ever. But it's not about the kite people, it's about the real people. The people who come and go "wow" and spend money.

Events that are just for kite people can to be pretty successful. Low budget, low expectations, fun had by all. Even so, there are less kite people these days, so ANY kite event is harder to make happen.

I don't think there is much that can be done for kite festivals as a whole. Individual events will continue to benefit from location, timing and good promotion, but for a lot of the public there just isn't the WOW there once was.

Among the problems in the kite world itself that Allen touched on...well, the economy just sucks. Businesses are throwing less sponsorship money around, and people have less disposable income. That doesn't help.

Maybe the events need to get back to the beginning again. Get the City,County, State parks/recreation involved. Work it with volunteers and a few merchants/concessions Get the local Scouts, Boy/girl clubs, school districts, summer programs stores, to donate material/food/drink. Work in conjunction with back sales, craft fairs,

Just a thought

When we had festivals in Tucson, the only real expense was the AKA insurance, and the candy for the drop

funny how in Europe they can draw many 10's of thousands of people and here....maybe 100 spectators

The festival which prompted this thread is in England...

But I do think there is a cultural aspect to festivals that isn't the fit it used to be here in the US. I'll go out on a limb and diagnose a bit.

Kites are a whimsical, frivolous entertainment. You gotta be in the right frame of mind to get a kick out of a kite. We've been a nation at war for 8 years now (the incoming Bush administration had us in war mode long before 9/11). Maybe, just maybe, we'll lighten up a bit sometime soon.

But beyond doom and gloom, we've got so many other diversions in our lives that kites have more competition than ever before. We just have a lot on our plates (good & bad).

I've only been at this a few years now, but I think more marketing would help.

Not even expensive marketing, just simple stuff. Like a big sign near the vendor demo areas that says something like "step up and try this kite out", or "free lessons".

Typically, you are on a big beach with tons of people around and alot going on - it's confusing to those that don't already know what is going on. I think more people would get interested by trying a kite and then likely buying one, getting hooked, and attending festivals.

It's fun to watch great flying, but flying themselves will bring them back again and again.

While waiting for the subway to pull into the last stop, I saw these guys seating in a car, Six of them, at the Sunoco. Everyone of them had a mobile device they were playing with while they waited for the attendant to finish filling the tank.

funny how in Europe they can draw many 10's of thousands of people and here....maybe 100 spectators

In Europe people will stand by the side of the road for hours to watch some bike riders cruise by. I think it's great, they get off the couch, outside, enjoy the camaraderie, enjoy the event, praise the competitors.

Here you drop the kids off at soccer and run back home to _ _ _ _ _ ??

« Last Edit: July 02, 2009, 09:50 PM by mikenchico »

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"Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see" John W Lennon

"People do not quit playing because they grow old, they grow old because they quit playing" George Bernard Shaw

i go hiking 30 min. from Los angeles and see no 1 i fly the uncrowded beaches of S. CA and see no kites most of the country sitting on there fat a___s is good because it keeps the quite places quite but it is obviously not good for outdoor sports except for a plague called soccer sorry cleats and grass dont get along IMO any way i guess what i am trying to say is and i second the motion lets get kitting in the olympics!!!! ps if you love soccer dont hate thanx KO

In Europe people will stand by the side of the road for hours to watch some bike riders cruise by. I think it's great, they get off the couch, outside, enjoy the camaraderie, enjoy the event, praise the competitors.

Here you drop the kids off at soccer and run back home to _ _ _ _ _ ??

They do something similar in the United States.... they're called the Boston Marathon, the NYC Marathon, and the 5 Boro Bike Tour.... I am sure there are similar events in other parts of the country.

While waiting for the subway to pull into the last stop, I saw these guys seating in a car, Six of them, at the Sunoco. Everyone of them had a mobile device they were playing with while they waited for the attendant to finish filling the tank.

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